Evolution tops State Board of Education debate topics

District 15 State Board of Education candidates Marty Rowley and Steven Schafersman debated one of the most controversial aspects of science curriculum Wednesday at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

Rowley, an Amarillo Republican, said he does not think creationism should be taught in Texas science classrooms, but intelligent design should be included along with the strengths and weaknesses of evolution.

“I do think if our teachers are given the freedom to teach the strengths and the weaknesses of evolution, then what we’re going to do is allow our students to look at all aspects and to make a well-reasoned decision as to what they believe with regard to a particular theory,” Rowley said.

Schafersman, a Democrat from Midland, said intelligent design is the same as creationism, but neither is valid science.

“Intelligent design and creationism have no basis and no reason to be taught,” Schafersman said. “Instead, what (people are) trying to do is weaken the evolution standards.”

Rowley said he does not support vouchers for private schools, but he does support charter schools. He also said he supports online education as a supplement to traditional classroom lessons.

Rowley said he is in favor of end-of-course exams to measure students’ progress throughout a school year, but the state has too many standardized tests.

Schafersman said he is against private school vouchers, but supports charter schools that maintain high academic standards and don’t teach religion.

He also said online education is a good supplement for traditional classes, but it shouldn’t be used for a student’s entire education. Finally, Schafersman said he supports standardized tests in moderation, and they should be partly used for teacher evaluations.

Rowley is a certified professional mediator and serves as president of the Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo.

Schafersman is a consulting scientist in Midland’s petroleum and environmental industries.

Rowley edged Amarillo Independent School District trustee Anette Carlisle in the May primary by capturing 50.5 percent of the vote to Carlisle’s 49.5 percent.

Schafersman was unopposed in the primary.

All 15 Board of Education seats are up for re-election this year because of redistricting. Rowley and Schafersman are running for the seat held by Bob Craig, R-Lubbock, who chose not to seek re-election. District 15 covers 77 counties throughout the Texas Panhandle and West Texas.

Four Democrats and 11 Republicans hold seats on the board.

The State Board of Education has responsibility for establishing the state’s public school curriculum, approving textbooks and managing the state’s permanent school fund. In the next few years, the board is set to review new science and social studies materials.

Election day is Nov. 6.

The debate was a good chance for the candidates to present their stance on issues and explain their differences, said debate moderator Reed Welch, head of the university’s department of political science and criminal justice.

Welch said it is important to have events such as debates for voters to learn about issues in races that don’t receive as much attention as the presidential election.

“This is a way to inform the voters, and hopefully the voters will talk to their friends and spread the word about the different positions each candidate took,” Welch said.